The question of who owns Fox Entertainment requires navigating a complex corporate history involving a major broadcast network, a legendary studio, and a transformative acquisition. For decades, the Fox name represented a powerful independent broadcast network and a sprawling entertainment conglomerate. The landscape shifted dramatically in the late 2010s, leading to the dissolution of the old empire and the creation of new corporate entities that now control the legacy assets. Understanding the current ownership involves distinguishing between the broadcast network, the film studio, and the valuable intellectual property catalog.
The Rise of 21st Century Fox
To understand the present, one must look to the past. The entity known as 21st Century Fox was born from a massive 2013 split of the original News Corporation. Co-founded by the influential Rupert Murdoch, the old News Corp controlled a vast media empire including the Fox Broadcasting Company, 20th Century Fox film studio, Fox News Channel, and a significant stake in Hulu. The 2013 demerger created two separate companies: 21st Century Fox, which housed the entertainment and sports assets, and the new News Corp, which took on the publishing and broadcasting operations outside of the U.S.. This move was designed to unlock value and allow investors to focus on the distinct strategies of the media and news divisions.
The Disney Acquisition
The most seismic event in Fox Entertainment's recent history was its acquisition by The Walt Disney Company. Announced in 2017 and completed in March 2019, this $71.3 billion deal fundamentally reshaped the media landscape. Disney acquired the core entertainment assets of 21st Century Fox, including 20th Century Fox, Fox 2000 Pictures, and the studio's vast library of film and television content. Consequently, the Fox Broadcasting Company, Fox News, Fox Business, and the regional sports networks remained under the control of the Murdoch family. These assets were placed into a new entity called Fox Corporation, formally launched on March 18, 2019.
The Creation of Fox Corporation
Fox Corporation was established as the direct successor to the entertainment-focused portion of the old Fox empire. Led by CEO Lachlan Murdoch, son of Rupert Murdoch, the company took control of the iconic Fox brand and its broadcast television network. The primary assets of Fox Corporation include the Fox Broadcasting Company, Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, and a portfolio of regional sports networks like YES Network and Fox Sports Networks. This entity is responsible for the news division, sports broadcasting, and the continued operation of the Fox broadcast network, which produces and distributes popular shows for the network.
Current Ownership Structure
Today, the ownership of the various Fox entities is clear. The Walt Disney Company owns 21st Century Fox's film and television production assets, the 20th Century Studios brand, and a significant portion of Hulu. This includes the rights to franchises like Star Wars, X-Men, and The Simpsons. Conversely, Fox Corporation is a publicly traded company, meaning it is owned by its shareholders. However, the Murdoch family maintains significant control through their voting shares and leadership roles, with Lachlan Murdoch serving as Executive Chairman and Rupert Murdoch as Executive Chairman Emeritus.
Key Assets and Their Stewards
The division of assets dictates who controls specific parts of the Fox legacy. Below is a breakdown of the major assets and their current parent companies:
